What to include on a resume? Build a recruiter-friendly resume with tips from a Career Education Manager

By: Mackenzie Currier

“The average recruiter will spend no more than six seconds on a resume. So you have six seconds to get my attention” says Maurice Fernandes, Manager, Career Education at Toronto Metropolitan University. Fernandes switched to counselling after a 23-year career in HR and recruitment. Now he shares his insider secrets for building a resume that recruiters will notice.

What is a resume?

Fernandes describes a resume as a 1-2 page marketing document that tells your story with relevant past and present experience. Applicants should always personalize their resume by sharing experiences where the skills needed and the tasks executed match the job posting. 

Fernandes advises jobseekers to use a master template with all their work experience when tailoring their resumes. This way, applicants can simply copy the document and delete content that does not relate to the role.

What to include on a resume?

1. Relevant Work Experience

• • This can include work placements, internships, extracurricular activities, or any activity that highlights skills or technical experience that match the role. 
  • Qualify and quantify your past experience with statements that show what skills you developed and the results (e.g. I tutored seven children aged 8 – 12 in AP History and was personally referred to three more clients)

    2. Summary of Qualifications 

• • Highlight around six of your relevant skills with qualifying and quantifying statements. (e.g. Excellent excel skills: develops pivot micro, micro, or macro tables).
  • Optional: Break up your summary into interpersonal and technical skills.

    3. Your educational background

• • If you are a university student, do not include high-school information unless you have recently graduated.
  • If a degree was acquired 10+ years ago, consider highlighting your work experience over your academic experience as curriculums frequently change.

    4. Use the same vernacular included in the job posting 

• • If the posting highlights “leadership skills”, use this exact wording in your document.

What not to include on a resume

1. An objective statement — why you want the job. The understanding when you apply to a position is that you want the job, so an objective statement is redundant.
2. “References available upon request” statement.
3. Your address. Instead, simply include the city where you live.

Fernandes discussed how resumes have changed from focusing on duties and responsibilities to emphasizing skills and results. Keep this in mind when creating the qualifying and quantifying statements related to your work.

Format and visual appearance of your resume

1. Use contrasting colours between text and background so the document is easy to read.
2. Include experience in reverse chronological order with bullet points.
3. Give more space when describing relevant jobs over recent jobs.

Fernandes explained that applicants can format their resumes on free and accessible platforms like Google Docs or Microsoft Word. For a more creative job, applicants can use inventive design as long as they follow the key tenants listed above.

Final tips for your job search

Fernandes noted that despite software like the applicant tracking system, a recruiter still chooses who gets an interview. Applicants should “write to the human” and tell an authentic story with their resume.

He also suggests writing a cover letter, being knowledgeable about the company, networking with industry professionals, and having transferable skills like communication, quick learning, and collaboration to increase career options.

Check out the TMU Career and Co-op Centre to learn more

For more support in building your resume and interview skills, join Youth Boost. Powered by Magnet, Youth Boost is an initiative to help young job seekers prepare for their career. With support from our partners, we’re proud to connect you with free resources and tools to help you build in-demand skills, strengthen your job search strategies, and make informed career decisions. Create your free account today!